Transitional kids' room photo in New York

After many years of having no outdoor living space and dealing with overgrown plants and trees the owner’s decided it was time to revitalize their backyard. They knew they wanted a large sitting area with a wood burning fireplace, room for outdoor dining and a place for the grill. A connecting walk would be needed to get guests from the driveway to the outdoor space. Last but not least, the owners wanted the ability to and a reason for stepping out of their unusable patio doors. The designers decided from the start the fireplace would be the prominent feature and focal point for the entire project. A large fireplace accented with sitting walls and arbors was positioned to anchor the corner of the patio. Stone was chosen to set the fireplace apart as its own element. Brick was used for the sitting walls and brick accents were added to the fireplace to tie into the house. An inlaid herringbone brick detail was incorporated above the stone mantle to simulate artwork which is typically found above indoor fireplaces. Flagstone was used for the wall caps and hearth to match the patio and thicker flagstone tread stock was used for the mantle and top. The arbors were added to visually balance the pergolas at the opposite side of the patio. For the patio the designers created a series of offset spaces to help subtly divide the space into two areas, sitting and dining. Two large existing trees also help dictate the shape of the patio. Cut flagstone was chosen for the surface bordered by a double soldier edge of brick. The brick edging also surrounds a decorative gravel area topped with an urn fountain which provides a secondary focal point and the sound of water. Large flagstone treads were used for the steps leading to the previously unused patio doors. Opposite the fireplace a short walk leads to a square transition area with a statue chosen by the owner. The statue provides a strong focal point when entering from the driveway. A longer walk leads from this space along the house to the driveway. The pergolas and arbors were designed by the landscape designer as part of this project but were ultimately contracted separately by the owner. The larger square pergola was intended as an area for a bench or two separate from the main patio. The longer pergola was added later in the design phase to help provide shade to the interior of the house. The arbors at the fireplace were added to balance out the wood elements at the opposite side while adding additional architectural interest to the fireplace. While this project was predominantly hardscaping, planting and lighting were also incorporated into the design. Several large existing trees were retained and serious of smaller understory trees were added to help enclose the space. The designer’s took advantage of the large trees to place down lights on the branches to achieve a moonlight effect at night. Additional lighting was used on the pergola, to accent focal points, to up light the smaller trees and around the patio. Massed planting of Japanese forest grass provides bold foliage color for the shady garden. A mulch path leads off behind the fireplace to another garden and a secluded area ideal for a bench or small table and chairs. Additional plantings were added along the rear property line to screen and unsightly fence. This project has obviously completely changed the way the owners use their backyard. They now have a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors with the use of the patio doors. The large patio allows for entertaining small gatherings outdoors for the first time. The fireplace has definitely become the primary gathering place for family and friends.

Intentional. Elevated. Artisanal. With three children under the age of 5, our clients were starting to feel the confines of their Pacific Heights home when the expansive 1902 Italianate across the street went on the market. After learning the home had been recently remodeled, they jumped at the chance to purchase a move-in ready property. We worked with them to infuse the already refined, elegant living areas with subtle edginess and handcrafted details, and also helped them reimagine unused space to delight their little ones. Elevated furnishings on the main floor complement the home’s existing high ceilings, modern brass bannisters and extensive walnut cabinetry. In the living room, sumptuous emerald upholstery on a velvet side chair balances the deep wood tones of the existing baby grand. Minimally and intentionally accessorized, the room feels formal but still retains a sharp edge—on the walls moody portraiture gets irreverent with a bold paint stroke, and on the the etagere, jagged crystals and metallic sculpture feel rugged and unapologetic. Throughout the main floor handcrafted, textured notes are everywhere—a nubby jute rug underlies inviting sofas in the family room and a half-moon mirror in the living room mixes geometric lines with flax-colored fringe. On the home’s lower level, we repurposed an unused wine cellar into a well-stocked craft room, with a custom chalkboard, art-display area and thoughtful storage. In the adjoining space, we installed a custom climbing wall and filled the balance of the room with low sofas, plush area rugs, poufs and storage baskets, creating the perfect space for active play or a quiet reading session. The bold colors and playful attitudes apparent in these spaces are echoed upstairs in each of the children’s imaginative bedrooms. Architect + Developer: McMahon Architects + Studio, Photographer: Suzanna Scott Photography

What was once a cramped, underperforming mudroom and a rarely used office has been thoughtfully reconfigured into a spacious, hardworking hub for daily life. By removing the wall between the two rooms, we unlocked valuable square footage to create a mudroom that truly supports how the family enters, exits, and organizes their day. The new layout integrates dedicated drop zones, custom storage, and a fully functional laundry area, all designed with both durability and ease of use in mind. Every detail was considered to bring order to high-traffic moments—whether it’s managing backpacks and shoes or keeping laundry seamlessly incorporated into the home. The result is a highly functional, intentionally designed space that transforms a once-overlooked area into an essential part of the home’s daily rhythm.

What was once a cramped, underperforming mudroom and a rarely used office has been thoughtfully reconfigured into a spacious, hardworking hub for daily life. By removing the wall between the two rooms, we unlocked valuable square footage to create a mudroom that truly supports how the family enters, exits, and organizes their day. The new layout integrates dedicated drop zones, custom storage, and a fully functional laundry area, all designed with both durability and ease of use in mind. Every detail was considered to bring order to high-traffic moments—whether it’s managing backpacks and shoes or keeping laundry seamlessly incorporated into the home. The result is a highly functional, intentionally designed space that transforms a once-overlooked area into an essential part of the home’s daily rhythm.

Casey Fry
Kitchen - mid-sized contemporary single-wall medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, gray backsplash and dark wood cabinets

Inspiration for a small timeless l-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Baltimore with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Brad Knipstein
Open concept kitchen - small contemporary galley dark wood floor open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Turned an empty, unused formal living room into a hip bourbon bar and library lounge for a couple who relocated to DFW from Louisville, KY. They wanted a place they could entertain friends or just hang out and relax with a cocktail or a good book. We added the wet bar and library shelves, and kept things modern and warm, with a wink to the prohibition era. The formerly deserted room is now their favorite spot. Photos by Michael Hunter Photography

The primary bedroom and bathroom are the showstoppers of this phase! Unused and awkwardly located closets in both the bedroom and bathroom were removed to make way for additional square-footage in the bath and replaced with a sizable and functional reach-in closet in the bedroom. A dated and cramped shower stall was removed in favor for an expansive step in shower spanning the width of the bathroom and a new transom window washes the room in natural light. While the previous bathroom was only able to accommodate a single vanity, the new layout allowed us to create double matching vanities mirrored across from each other - a much appreciated addition for a primary bath. Floating walnut vanities boast impressive storage and are capped with tower cabinets with hidden outlets for charging and storing electronic bathroom tools. While the color palette is restrained - black, white, gray, and brown - the result is a timelessly modern and masculine space that is at once striking and warm. Modern geometric patterns play with each other throughout the material selections.

Mid-sized elegant dark wood floor hallway photo in Denver with beige walls

Kitchen - small traditional l-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor kitchen idea in Baltimore with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

High wainscot paneling add formality and character. A hidden slide-out coat closet built into the wall takes advantage of an unused chase next to the fireplace. At the far end of the hallway, a small powder room was relocated out of the kitchen area to allow privacy within the powder room, as well as create more useable space in the kitchen.

Sauna Under a Stairway: This 2-3 person sauna includes a full-platform middle bench, custom sloped ceiling and a Junior heater through the lower bench.

Organized Living Classica closet design in bisque. Organization tip & image from pro organizer, Amanda LeBlanc: store shoes heel to toe - not only does make it easy to see them, it also help you save space! See more Classica designs: http://organizedliving.com/home/products/classica/inspiration-gallery

Example of a classic home design design in Other

Project by: Dichotomy Interiors
Example of a small trendy single-wall home bar design in New York with wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and brown countertops

© Jeff Herr Photo
Eclectic dark wood floor living room photo in Nashville with a standard fireplace

Large trendy two-car garage photo in Charleston